Satish Kaushik: 'I'm planning to adapt a book now'

Mumbai, July 5 -- Satish Kaushik's Milenge Milenge may have been delayed by six years but the director is still confident of the movie's potential at the box office.

It was filmed when Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor were dating. Now that they have drifted apart, buzz is that the duo aren't interested in promoting the film.

Kaushik denies this: "The release date has been finally fixed and can't be pushed forward. Shahid and Kareena are committed to other films so they can't be around. But all the actors are supporting the film." Kaushik laughs off rumours that Kareena is upset with the promotional phrase, "They are back together." He points out that all such reports end by saying that Kareena was unavailable for comment.

"That's because Kareena is not upset. She did a promotional photo shoot for us and has been very supportive. Besides, the actors know we mean that they are back together after their last big hit, Jab We Met," he argues. Quizzed on the six-year delay, the director gets philosophical and blames it on "fate" but insists that the timing is perfect because "both Kareena and Shahid are huge stars now".

Coming up

Fate is significant to the story too since it conspires to get two lovers together. Was he inspired by the John Cusack movie, Serendipity? "Every love story has the same formula and format. So every film should be a copy of the last one," he scoffs. The director, who is a product of the National School of Drama and recently received rave reviews for his crossover English movies Brick Lane and Road, Movie, is planning a path-breaking directorial venture that will be "different but commercial". He adds, "When I see movies like 3 Idiots, I'm charged up. I'm now planning to adapt a book. Sorry no details yet. It's too early."